The Issue
Every year, Iraq throws away around six million tons of food, much of it still perfectly edible. In restaurants alone, about 25 tons per year go to waste due to large portions, over-ordering, and a culture of generosity that, while well-meaning, is becoming unsustainable. At the same time, one in four Iraqis lives below the poverty line, and many families struggle to put food on the table.
This waste not only deepens inequality but also harms the environment, contributing to pollution and climate change.
The Project
With funding from DCA’s Innovation Fund, DCA Iraq partnered with Five One Labs, a startup incubator, for the launch of a new initiative in Erbil, connecting restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets with surplus food to people who need it – at reduced prices or through community kitchens. The aim was to reduce food waste in Erbil while helping vulnerable communities access affordable meals.
The project is making it easy for people to find and reserve food that would otherwise go to waste, by exploring technological and non-technological solutions.
While Five One Labs has played a central role in launching and driving the project forward, it unfortunately closed down its operations in Iraq. Therefore, DCA has partnered with the Rwanga Foundation to continue implementing the project, supporting the creation of local initiatives that collect surplus food from restaurants, cafés, and supermarkets and redistribute it at discounted prices.
The project is also running awareness campaigns to educate the public about food waste and involve communities in preparing and sharing meals. This was initiated in a few districts, to ensure the initiative was tested and refined before expanding to more areas, aiming to build solutions to hunger and food waste in the most effective and impactful way.
The Change
Instead of letting surplus food from restaurants and supermarkets go to waste, the project redirects it to people in need – making meals more affordable and accessible for vulnerable families. It also helps local businesses reduce waste and encourages the community to think differently about food and sustainability.
The Partner
Five One Labs is an international startup incubator that helps talented entrepreneurs from diverse communities launch their startups.
Through an innovative multi-lingual programming, Five One Labs provides intensive training, mentorship, funding, and advisory support to scalable startups looking to launch or grow their businesses.
Rwanga Foundation is a non-governmental organization that envisions a world where quality education is accessible to all. The Foundation aims to foster a healthy and peaceful environment where everyone can thrive. This is achieved through the promotion of education and culture, the preservation of heritage and language, and the support of charitable efforts to assist those in need.
About the Project
Title: Leveraging on Technology and the Power of Community: Making Every Bite Count
Timeline: 01.01.2025-31.12.2026
Partners: Five One Labs and Rwanga Foundation
Amount: 1,000,000 DKK
DCA Theme: Building resilient communities
Estimated number of beneficiaries: 120
Donor: DCA Innovation Fund
